Reusable straw holder for dishwasher

ABSTRACT

A reusable straw holder for use in a household (or commercial) dishwasher is provided. The holder (hereinafter referred to as the “assembly”) is configured to securely hold a reusable straw during the dishwasher cycle so as to thoroughly clean the inside of the reusable straw. The assembly includes a plurality of funnel portions interconnected thereby permitting the assembly to hold and clean a plurality of reusable straws. Each of the funnel portions includes a funnel base to direct water and soap into the body of the reusable straw and a variable diameter neck portion to hold the reusable straw during the cleaning process.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 62/796,615 filed on Jan. 25, 2019.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification generally relates to a household cleaningapparatus and, more specifically, a holding apparatus for holdingreusable straws for cleaning in a household dishwasher.

BACKGROUND

Commonly known drinking straws are comprised of a small pipe that allowsits user to more conveniently consume a beverage. Traditionally, a thintube of paper, plastic (such as polypropylene and polystyrene), or othersimilar material is used. For environmental reasons, it is becomingincreasingly more common to utilize reusable drinking straws comprisedof plastic, metal, glass or other similarly resilient and durablematerials in various lengths and diameters.

However, as with all reusable products, reusable straws must be cleaned.Various known cleaning methods for cleaning reusable straws includesoaking or use of a small brush or pipe cleaner to clean the interior ofthe straw. However, these methods are time consuming and oftenineffective.

Accordingly, a need exists for alternative cleaning apparatus and methodfor cleaning reusable straws.

SUMMARY

The present specification generally relates to a reusable straw holderfor use in a household (or commercial) dishwasher. The holder isconfigured to securely hold a reusable straw during the dishwasher cycleso as to thoroughly clean the inside of the reusable straw. The assemblyincludes a plurality of funnel portions interconnected therebypermitting the assembly to hold and clean a plurality of reusablestraws.

A device for cleaning at least one reusable straw in a dishwasher, thedevice having a plurality of interconnected funnel portions, each of thefunnel portions includes a funnel and a neck, the neck of the funnelportion having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal endconnected to the funnel, the distal end having a larger diameter ascompared to the proximal end so as to accommodate various sizes ofreusable straws, and the funnel of the funnel portion having a distalend configured to direct water into the neck and subsequently into theinterior of the at least one reusable straw. In some embodiments, theplurality of interconnected funnels are connected together at apredetermined angle, the angle facilitating the flow of water throughthe funnel and the neck. In some embodiments, the device furtherincludes at least one securing member, the securing member extendingaway from the funnel portion, the securing member having an apertureconfigured to fit around a prong in a dishwasher. In other embodiments,the device further includes at least one securing portion, the securingportion having two portions extending away from the funnel portion, thetwo portions spaced apart so as to accept a prong of a dishwasher.

A device for cleaning at least one reusable straw in a dishwasher, thedevice having at least one funnel portion, the funnel portion having afunnel and a neck, the neck of the funnel portion having a distal endand a proximal end, the proximal end connected to the funnel, the distalend having a larger diameter as compared to the proximal end so as toaccommodate various sizes of reusable straws, and the funnel of thefunnel portion having a distal end configured to direct water into theneck and subsequently into the interior of the at least one reusablestraw. In some embodiments, a plurality of funnels are interconnectedtogether at a predetermined angle, the angle facilitating the flow ofwater through the funnel and the neck. In some embodiments, the devicefurther includes at least one securing member, the securing memberextending away from the funnel portion, the securing member having anaperture configured to fit around a prong in a dishwasher. In otherembodiments, the device further includes at least one securing portion,the securing portion having two portions extending away from the funnelportion, the two portions spaced apart so as to accept a prong of adishwasher.

A device for cleaning at least one reusable straw in a dishwasher, thedevice having at least one funnel portion, the funnel portion having afunnel and a neck, the neck of the funnel portion having a distal endand a proximal end, the proximal end connected to the funnel, the distalend configured to accommodate a reusable straw, and the funnel of thefunnel portion having a distal end configured to direct water into theneck and subsequently into the interior of the at least one reusablestraw. In some embodiments, a plurality of funnels are interconnectedtogether at a predetermined angle, the angle facilitating the flow ofwater through the funnel and the neck. In some embodiments, the devicefurther includes at least one securing member, the securing memberextending away from the funnel portion, the securing member having anaperture configured to fit around a prong in a dishwasher. In otherembodiments, the device further includes at least one securing portion,the securing portion having two portions extending away from the funnelportion, the two portions spaced apart so as to accept a prong of adishwasher.

These and additional features provided by the embodiments describedherein will be more fully understood in view of the following detaileddescription, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplaryin nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by theclaims. The following detailed description of the illustrativeembodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, where like structure is indicated with likereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the assembly installed in adishwasher according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 2 depicts an elevational view of the assembly according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein; and

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the assembly illustrating theflow of water through the assembly according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Herein described is a device for easily washing one or a plurality ofreusable straws in a dishwasher. The device includes at least one funnelportion connected to a neck portion. The neck portion is configured tosecurely hold a reusable straw during a cleaning cycle in a dishwasher.The neck portion is tapered so as to accommodate different sized strawstherein. The device includes securing portions to connect the device tothe prongs of a dishwasher.

FIG. 1 generally depicts a reusable straw holder for use in a household(or commercial) dishwasher. The holder (hereinafter referred to as the“assembly”) is configured to securely hold a reusable straw during thedishwasher cycle so as to thoroughly clean the inside of the reusablestraw. The assembly includes a plurality of funnel portionsinterconnected thereby permitting the assembly to hold and clean aplurality of reusable straws. Each of the funnel portions includes afunnel base to direct water and soap into the body of the reusable strawand a variable diameter neck portion to hold the reusable straw duringthe cleaning process.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an assembly 100 is provided having a pluralityof funnel portions 104 having a funnel 102 and a variable diameter neck106. The assembly 100 further includes a securing member 108 configuredto connect directly to a spoke or other structure within a dishwasher. Areusable straw is positioned within the variable diameter neck 106 tohold and secure the reusable straw during the washing process. Thevariable diameter neck 106 includes a variable diameter so as toaccommodate different sized straws during the washing process. Thefunnel 102 includes a distal end having a significantly larger diameteras compared to the neck 106 so as to facilitate movement of water intothe inner body of a reusable straw.

The assembly 100 further includes a securing member 108 to secure theassembly 100 to a dishwasher. The securing member 108 protrudes awayfrom the base of the assembly and includes a circular apertureconfigured to connect directly to a prong 204 of a dishwasher 200. Thedishwasher 200 includes a plurality of prongs 204 connected to a base202. The prongs 204 are generally vertical to as to easily allow thesecuring member 108 to connect thereto. A secondary securing member 111is provided opposite of the securing member 308. The securing member 111includes a first prong 111A and a second prong 111B have a space 113disposed therebetween. The space 113 configured to accept a prong 204and configured to flex apart from each other when a dishwasher prong ispositioned there between.

In other embodiments, the securing member may be a hook or other loopconfigured to connect directly to a dishwasher prong or support member.In some embodiments, the apparatus may include both a loop and a pair ofprongs to allow the user to choose which connection means works best intheir dishwasher or to allow the user to use both connection means.

In this embodiment, a portion of the funnel assembly 104 is angled so asto facilitate movement of water 206 up the interior body of the reusablestraw 500.

The inside of the neck 106 includes an upper diameter D-1 and a lowerdiameter D-2. In this embodiment, D-1 is larger as compared to D-2. Theinner diameter of the neck 306 gradually decreases from D-1 to D-2(thereby tapering) so as to accommodate straws having various outerdiameters within the neck 106. The reusable straw 500 is positioned intothe neck 106 at the opening 110.

FIG. 3 depicts the cross-sectional view of the assembly 100. Theassembly 100 includes the plurality of funnels 102 each having a bottomopening 112. The opening 112 of the funnel 102 includes an inner surface114. The opening 112 and inner surface 114 are configured to directwater and/or soap used within the dishwasher into the funnel and upthrough a reusable straw positioned within the neck 106.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the assembly 100 containing a straw500. The assembly 100 is positioned within the dishwasher 200. The straw500 is positioned directly into the neck of the assembly and securedtherein. The user securely positions the straw 500 into the neck of theassembly by pushing the straw into the neck until it is secured. Thestraw is positioned into the opening 116 of the neck 106.

In other embodiments, a single funnel apparatus is provided. In thisembodiment, a single funnel portion is provided so as to clean a singlestraw in a dishwasher. The single funnel includes all of the sameelements of the funnel portions as herein described and as illustratedby the appended drawings except that the apparatus only provides afunnel portion in the singular.

It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilizedherein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may beattributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or otherrepresentation.

These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which aquantitative representation may vary from a stated reference withoutresulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter atissue.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein,it should be understood that various other changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimedsubject matter.

Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter havebeen described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination.

It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changesand modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

1. A device for cleaning at least one reusable straw in a dishwasher,the device comprising: a plurality of interconnected funnel portions,each of the funnel portions includes a funnel and a neck; the neck ofthe funnel portion having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximalend connected to the funnel, the distal end having a larger diameter ascompared to the proximal end so as to accommodate various sizes ofreusable straws; and the funnel of the funnel portion having a distalend configured to direct water into the neck and subsequently into theinterior of the at least one reusable straw.
 2. The device of claim 1wherein the plurality of interconnected funnels are connected togetherat a predetermined angle, the angle facilitating the flow of waterthrough the funnel and the neck.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein thedevice includes at least one securing member, the securing memberextending away from the funnel portion, the securing member having anaperture configured to fit around a prong in a dishwasher.
 4. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the device includes at least one securing portion,the securing portion having two portions extending away from the funnelportion, the two portions spaced apart so as to accept a prong of adishwasher.
 5. A device for cleaning at least one reusable straw in adishwasher, the device comprising: at least one funnel portion, thefunnel portion having a funnel and a neck; the neck of the funnelportion having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal endconnected to the funnel, the distal end having a larger diameter ascompared to the proximal end so as to accommodate various sizes ofreusable straws; and the funnel of the funnel portion having a distalend configured to direct water into the neck and subsequently into theinterior of the at least one reusable straw.
 6. The device of claim 5wherein a plurality of funnels are interconnected together at apredetermined angle, the angle facilitating the flow of water throughthe funnel and the neck.
 7. The device of claim 5 wherein the deviceincludes at least one securing member, the securing member extendingaway from the funnel portion, the securing member having an apertureconfigured to fit around a prong in a dishwasher.
 8. The device of claim5 wherein the device includes at least one securing portion, thesecuring portion having two portions extending away from the funnelportion, the two portions spaced apart so as to accept a prong of adishwasher.
 9. A device for cleaning at least one reusable straw in adishwasher, the device comprising: at least one funnel portion, thefunnel portion having a funnel and a neck; the neck of the funnelportion having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal endconnected to the funnel, the distal end configured to accommodate areusable straw; and the funnel of the funnel portion having a distal endconfigured to direct water into the neck and subsequently into theinterior of the at least one reusable straw.
 10. The device of claim 9wherein a plurality of funnels are interconnected together at apredetermined angle, the angle facilitating the flow of water throughthe funnel and the neck.
 11. The device of claim 9 wherein the deviceincludes at least one securing member, the securing member extendingaway from the funnel portion, the securing member having an apertureconfigured to fit around a prong in a dishwasher.
 12. The device ofclaim 9 wherein the device includes at least one securing portion, thesecuring portion having two portions extending away from the funnelportion, the two portions spaced apart so as to accept a prong of adishwasher.